‘The Office:’ ‘Merger’: As good as it gets

“The Merger” will rank as one of the great episodes of “The Office.” It’s up there with “The Client,” “Michael’s Birthday” and “Gay Witch Hunt.” It was everything I imagined it would be and more. I know that’s a cliché, but I rarely get to use it.

In a word, “The Merger” was a masterpiece.

What an amazing performance by Jenna Fischer. It wasn’t so much her giddiness at the beginning in contrast to her complete heartbreak at the end. It was those subtle nuggets of realization by Pam that Jim had struck a bond with this Karen girl, the look on her face when Karen gives Jim the piece of gum.

It’s amazing how Pam was this unattainable fox of a receptionist this whole time, and with one single episode, Jim’s become the unattainable fox. Or maybe he’s a wolf.

How can Jim and Pam possibly be friends after this? With true love, it’s do or die. Preferably do. Will they ever rekindle that perfect chemistry that had in seasons 1 and 2? How can they with Karen in the same office?

My colleague Jim suggested we don’t know if Jim is dating Karen. We are in the dark, as Pam is. You would assume Karen is the one, but who knows?

This was also a return of the Michael Scott we’ve come to know and love. The one that offends easily in attempts to be friendly: “Follow me, I will show you where all the slaves work.” It’s true, the Scrantonites have become numb to Michael’s management style. But maybe these jokes worked because Michael had new faces to entertainment.

From top to bottom, this was a flawless episode in terms of the writing. I can’t get this one line out of my head, when Andy says, “I’m always trying to stay one step ahead. Like a carpenter that makes stairs.” Just perfect.